Important information on syrup of ipecac

Marine Creatures

Because California has many rivers and lakes, as well as an extensive coastline, water creatures can be a cause of poison problems. This means that swimmers, surfers, people who fish, boaters, divers, snorkelers, people who walk on the beach and owners of home aquariums can all be the victims of poisonous marine life.


Fish

Sharks, salmon, sheephead, lingcod, and California halibut all have a mouthful of sharp teeth that can inflict a deep or serious wound. Usually the wound occurs when attempting to remove the hook from the mouth of the fish. Avoid placing fingers in the mouth of the fish. Sharks also have rough, abrasive skin made of scales called "skin teeth." Brushing against the skin can cause cuts and scrapes.


Eels

Moray eels live in rocky holes, crevices and caves and look for food at night. They are often seen with their heads poking out of hiding places with their mouths open and teeth bared. They open and close their mouths to pump water over the gills. They look scary, but they aren't that dangerous.

Moray eels do not attack humans unless provoked. Frequently divers looking for abalone or lobsters place their hands in a moray eel's home and get bitten as a result. California moray eels are not venomous but the bite can hurt and bleed.

Wolf eels also look more dangerous than they are. When provoked, they can produce a large tear-wound that can bleed a lot. If an eel is hooked while fishing, cut the line or use extreme care to prevent a severe bite.


Lionfish/sculpin/scorpionfish/
stonefish/zebrafish/rockfish

Painful encounters with these exotic specimens frequently result when aquarium store workers and home aquarium owners touch the fish while cleaning the tank or attempting to move the fish. The fish have poison glands at the base of the fins. A sting from the spines inflicts an intensely painful, burning, throbbing pain, usually with swelling at the site. Severe stings can result in nausea, vomiting, delirium, sweating, pale skin and shock.

The venom is destroyed by heat. Treatment is to immediately soak the affected area (usually a hand) in water as hot as the victim can tolerate without causing burns. The wounded area must be kept in hot water for 30-60 minutes. Call the Poison Center for more information.


Jellyfish

There are many species of jellyfish. They are usually almost colorless and therefore difficult to see. The bodies consist of a bell and many trailing tentacles. Jellyfish are poor swimmers and usually are found drifting in the water. In a strong current, jellyfish can be washed onto the shore, causing problems for barefooted people who aren't watching where they are walking.

Jellyfish have stinging cells usually found on the tentacles, but sometimes in the bell. When the jellyfish encounters an "enemy," the stinging cells explode. Injury can result from skin contact with any part of the jellyfish. Exposure causes pain, redness, itching, swelling, skin irritation and blisters.

If exposed to a jellyfish, do not rinse the area with fresh water and do not rub the area. These measures will cause stinging cells to fire further, causing more pain. Apply vinegar or rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the wound to deactivate the stinging cells. Call the Poison Center for more advice.


Stingrays

Stingrays have a barbed spine on their long tails that can cause painful and dangerous stings. Stingrays can thrash their tails side to side and up and down, causing glancing blows as well as actual stings. Because the stinging spine has jagged edges, the wounds can be ragged, deep and bleed extensively. A stingray does not attack but will sting if surprised or provoked. Once stung, the pain is intense. There may also be nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and shock. Treatment for a stingray sting is to immediately immerse the affected area in water as hot as the victim can tolerate without causing burns. The wounded area must be kept in hot water for 30-60 minutes. Then call the Poison Center for more information.


Octopus

If frightened, large octopuses can grab divers, wrap their tentacles around them and cause them to drown. Octopuses have a parrot-like beak that can bite, leaving deep puncture wounds that can bleed profusely. They have salivary glands that can secrete a poison that can stun and kill their prey. Octopuses around the California coast rarely bite, even when handled. Only the blue-ringed octopus (found in Southeast Asia and Australia) has been fatal to humans.


Sea urchins

Sea urchins look like pincushions filled with sharp needles. Stepping on a sea urchin or handling one can result in an intensely painful puncture wound. The spines are strong enough to penetrate a wet suit or puncture the soles of tennis shoes. If a spine breaks off in the wound, the wound can fester and become badly infected. Frequently a patient will have to have the spines removed surgically.

While some sea urchins can also inject venom through fang-like jaws, California sea urchins are not venomous. Some sea urchins produce a toxin during mating season that makes sea urchins dangerous to eat. Unless you know what you are doing, leave sea urchins alone.

 

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Disclaimer: This web site is designed to be informational and educational. Under no circumstance is this web site meant to replace the expert advice of a qualified poison specialist or physician. In the event of a poison emergency, call the nearest poison center immediately by diaing 1-800-222-1222 or contact 9-1-1 emergency services.